By Jabali Media
Kisumu City Manager Michael Abala Wanga has announced an immediate cessation of all operations at the Kibuye market until further notice, following a directive by the public health department.
Addressing the press in his office on Friday, Wanga said the directive was settled on, after a detailed assessment by the department of public health at the market, one of the largest in Africa.
The department, he said, had raised serious concerns over the existence of multiple public health nuisances at the market, which not only pose a significant threat to the health of the general public, but also risk escalating the spread of cholera—a disease currently being reported in parts of the city and beyond.
The nuisances, he added, include lack of clean and safe water supply, improper solid waste management, unsanitary ablution blocks and toilet facilities, open and unsafe cooking practices within the market and blocked drainage systems, and encroachment on access lanes.
“These conditions pose an imminent risk to public health, especially during this rainy season when waterborne disease transmission is heightened,” he stated.
“To this effect, and pursuant to Section 117 of the Public Health Act Cap 242, read together with Cap 254 and regulations there under, the Public Health Department has directed the immediate cessation of all operations at Kibuye Market until further notice,” Wanga told the press.
The City manager said the order shall remain in force, until measures towards provision of adequate, clean, and safe water supply to the market, design and implementation of a solid waste management system for effective waste collection and disposal, and rehabilitation and regular maintenance of all toilet and sanitation facilities are undertaken.
The other measures are regulation and restructuring of eateries to meet public health standards, including medical certification of food handlers and removal of all structures and stalls obstructing drainage systems and access lanes.
“Further, we wish to inform the general public and all traders that, during this temporary closure, the market day for Kibuye Market will be relocated to Uhuru Business Market. The City has put in place adequate measures to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure minimal disruption to trading activities,” noted the City Manager.
Kibuye Market has in the recent past become a battleground between the city management and management committees over control of the market, with wrangles causing the death of one person in June, 2024.
Others were left with multiple injuries.
